Here's what's happening this weekend in the Rock River Valley

Here’s a look at some of the biggest events happening around the Rock River Valley this week. For a listing of more events, visit rrstar.eviesays.com/events.

Have a 'Merry and Bright' SaturdayA new celebration, "Merry and Bright: a downtown holiday," kicks off with Stroll on State from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday along State Street in downtown Rockford.

Among the activities: Stroll on State includes a candlelight stroll from City Hall, across the Rock River, to the PNC Bank Plaza for the lighting of the city's official 35-foot-tall Christmas tree. There will be decorations, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, roaming musicians, food from street vendors and downtown restaurants, holiday shops, Rockford City Market vendors, and Etsy shop owners. Kids can visit with Santa and real reindeer, watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and skate at the Winter Wonderland synthetic ice rink in the Register Star's parking lot.

Drop Santa a letterThe Nicholas Conservatory Holiday Tree Lighting as well as inside and outside activities will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford.

Cost is $2 for inside activities; free for outside activities. Inside from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: make-it-and-take-it activities, musical performance by Olivia Dvorak from 3 to 5 p.m. Outside from 3 to 5 p.m.: Get a free photo with Santa, drop a letter to Santa in a mailbox, do holiday-themed activities, hear a musical performance by Jeanie B at 4 p.m., watch tree-lighting at 5 p.m.